Curious Things around the House #37 – updated!

Visiting the folk’s home has been a frolic, but also full of nostalgia. I can’t open a drawer without finding some lost item or knickknack unseen for decades. I found Brother #3’s baby pillow and #2’s books. While rummaging through the shelf above the stove (looking for some matches) I came across this item:

This little bunny mug was my first ‘big boy’ cup. I must have received it when I was about four. I have not seen it in maybe fifty years. It is one of those things if you asked me directly I would have no memory of such, but upon laying eyes on the cup, I instantly recalled it. I asked Mother if there was some sort of story behind it. Perhaps the cup was an heirloom from some distant relation or had been purposely chosen among a myriad of mugs to be my special sipping mug. All she could remember was one of her friends (she didn’t know which) gave it to me as a when she mentioned I was old enough to handle such. She remembered too it was the receptacle out of which I drank cocoa. I would not use anything else. Sometimes out of whimsy I had some Campbell’s Chicken Noodle (or Star) soup. Then I was too young for tea; she did not remember bunny mug being used for such.

Considering I drop and break everything I own (given enough time), the intact mug is a sort of miracle.

Needless to say I got all warm and runny inside over the notion Mother had saved it.

Throughout the holiday weekend I was Tea-master to wit I continually made tea to serve the troops. They all got china cups and saucers, but I drank from my bunny mug. I was pleased as punch.

Mother thinks I should take the mug back to AZ, but I think not. I like the notion of it staying ‘in the past’, here in MI, waiting for me when I next visit. Using it was a pleasant perk to a splendid Christmas weekend.

Do Spo-fans have a precious childhood object? Do tell.

*Actually she saves nearly everything. She gets this from her Mother’s side . It’s all that Nordic blood, I dare say.

UPDATE! I found these two bowls. How funny is memory. I remember the mug but don’t recall the bowls. Mother remembers we ate our cereal from them, Brother #2 and I.

Spo-Reflections 2006-2016

32 comments

That’s an awesome mug. It’s the perfect size to drink a nice cup of hot chocolate. I’m happy you’re mom saved that mug because those memories from your childhood are precious.
Now you have a tangible piece of your childhood memories. It’s great!

I am a “things” person, I have a tiny glass bottle that had flakes of gold in it, when my mother bought it on a cross country trip in the early 1940’s, it was in her home as long as I can remember. I have a small bronze elephant paperweight, that was on my grandmother’s desk for as long as I can remember, and on her parents desk for decades before that. Both trigger long memories.

I remember those bunny dishes, I do not know who the maker was, but they were popular for a long time. I do not know if you could find such today. This one is in fine condition. I had a small dish as a child and it was a little plate-bowl dish. It got lost I think in one of the many moves.

That is a Bunnykins mug! The pictures are from Beatrix potter. I used to have my morning cereal out of one every day. My brother and sister to, they are still at my parents.

People usually got them as christening / first visit presents. Although my brother as the eldest got a lot more so I’m pretty sure at least one of the little sisters bowls was a re gift. They were pricey then and now, I’m amazed we were allowed to use them and they weren’t hidden away!

My husbands mother made a big fuss about giving his back when our eldest son was born… Then she decided it would be better to have as a special bowl when he visits. Number one hates cereal so it was probably a good thing we never got it. Number two son has just started to enjoy morning cereal, wonder if she will fork it over this time? (I am in NZ by the way).

Things from childhood – my Coronation teaspoon (I had just started school in 1953, and every local authority gave some sort of souvenir of the time to each schoolchild), some salad servers that my father “liberated” from his last POW camp in 1945, and assorted pieces of furniture I clung on to when emptying my late parents’ flat – a Victorian button-back armchair, a mirrored hall cupboard, and an old wine-cooler converted to a storage seat.

I wouldn’t be surprised if your childhood mug and plate turned out to be worth something to a collector (I’ve been watching too much Antiques Roadshow).

I like your list; thank you for sharing it
I am going to visit Mother next spring for the sole purpose of taking inventory of what she has/the stories behind the heirlooms so they don’t turn into rosebuds when the parents pass.

I don’t know why exactly but this got me a little teary. I don’t have any precious childhood items. I have some items from my childhood but nothing that gives me those same warm fuzzies. I definitely would have taken the mug home with me.

My twin brother and I had similar Peter Rabbit bowls when we were little. I inherited them when my first son graduated to solids. Unfortunately one bowl was destroyed by one of my boys and I’m now the reluctant custodian of the other bowl. My twin isn’t interested in collecting sentimental heirlooms unless they are functional. He manages his adhd by having a minimalist household devoid of any destractions.